The KDW twin-float single-seat fighter seaplane was
essentially a conversion of the land-based KD (D.I) to
provide an interim aircraft for floatplane station
defence. The only major change introduced on the prototype
apart from provision of a twin-float chassis was
some slight extension of the wings, but the fin area was
later increased to compensate for the increased keel
area resulting from the addition of the floats. The prototypes
were fitted with the 150hp Benz Bz III six-cylinder
water-cooled engine, but apart from a preproduction
batch of 10 similarly-powered aircraft, all
subsequent examples of the KDW had the 160hp Maybach
Mb III six-cylinder water-cooled engine. The first production series was armed with a single synchronised
7.92mm LMG 08/15 machine gun mounted on
the starboard side of the nose, but the final batch of 20
delivered between October 1917 and February 1918 had
a gun mounted on each side of the cockpit and additional
Vee-type interplane bracing struts. A total of 58
KDW float fighters was delivered.